Due to Storm Ciara, United Utilities have been unable to carry out repairs to the Watchgate Water Treatment Works near Kendal, which serves a wide area of Eden.
Properties in Eden currently still have fresh water supply, however, it is anticipated that this could run out in some areas at some point this morning, if the repairs aren’t completed first.
United Utilities say on their website: “As a result of Storm Ciara we have experienced damage to a water main that is situated under a river. We have been working through the night with our teams to repair the damage but the pipe is located under a fast flowing river bed and the surrounding land is extremely hazardous impacting the speed in which we are able to make the repair.
“You will see our big water on wheels tankers in the area pumping drinking water directly into the mains to keep as many customers on supply as we can.
“At this point in time we are hopeful that you will not be without water, however as a precautionary measure we will be setting up bottle water collection points and we are working with Cumbria County Council to identify the locations for these. We will publish the locations here as soon as these have been confirmed.
“We would like to apologise for the inconvenience but assure you we are working as fast we can in some very difficult circumstances.”
The areas likely to be affected are:
- Tebay
- Shap
- Appleby
- Pooley Bridge
- Clifton
- Askham
- Orton
- Kirkby Stephen.
To mitigate the effects of this, and to ensure a fresh water supply, United Utilities will be setting up a number of water stations for affected residents. These will be located at the following locations:
- Pooley Bridge Village Hall
- Shap Memorial Hall
- Appleby Moot Hall
- Market Square Kirkby Stephen
- Clifton village hall
- Tebay Services
For further information and support, contact United Utilities at www.unitedutilities.com/help-and-support/ or call them on 0345 672 2888.